Overview
- The company reported that unknown assailants threw a backpack loaded with explosives over the perimeter wall of its Santa María administrative compound and the device detonated inside the compound on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
- Two contract workers suffered auditory injuries from the blast, received immediate care and were evacuated to Trujillo for specialized medical attention.
- Minera Poderosa activated contingency and security protocols, reported significant damage to administrative facilities, and filed a formal complaint while providing technical support to the National Police and the Public Ministry for the investigation.
- ComexPerú and the Sociedad Nacional de Minería, Petróleo y Energía condemned the attack, warned that criminal groups linked to illegal gold mining are eroding state control in Pataz, and urged faster and firmer government action.
- Pataz is one of Peru’s main gold-producing provinces and has a recent record of deadly incursions and infrastructure sabotage, which experts say raises risks to workers, local communities and the continuity of formal mining unless security and law-enforcement measures are strengthened.